Common Land
How well do you know Lamberhurst's public common land sites?
|
|
The Gravel Pit / The Down
|
Hook Green |
Free Heath at Hook Green |
|
|
|
Lamberhurst Common is made up of 11.1ha of semi-natural and ancient woodland, species-rich grassland, former heathland and wood pasture, divided over 4 land parcels.
One part of the common, known as The Gravel Pit, is a Local Wildlife Site designated for the biological value of its
grassland, and former working gravel pit that now contains a breeding pond for Great Crested Newts.
As well as being locally important for its wildlife value, each parcel of common land provides access for informal recreation to the community living locally to it. Many of the nearby homes and farms that make up these communities are several hundred years old. The local history society has already traced some of the stories associated with the land, houses, and nearby businesses of the common. The tales that have emerged have indicated a long standing relevance and sense of place that people have gained from the common, as well as its value to the changing local community.
One part of the common, known as The Gravel Pit, is a Local Wildlife Site designated for the biological value of its
grassland, and former working gravel pit that now contains a breeding pond for Great Crested Newts.
As well as being locally important for its wildlife value, each parcel of common land provides access for informal recreation to the community living locally to it. Many of the nearby homes and farms that make up these communities are several hundred years old. The local history society has already traced some of the stories associated with the land, houses, and nearby businesses of the common. The tales that have emerged have indicated a long standing relevance and sense of place that people have gained from the common, as well as its value to the changing local community.
What can you spot on our common land? |
Jack Frost's Footsteps... |
|
At the turn of the last century a photograph was taken of a cooper called Jack Frost, who lived and worked in the gravel pit of Lamberhurst Common. As well as making barrels, he would coppice trees around the pit to make spiles for fencing and faggots for lighting fires. Local history records that Jack was remembered as 'a dear old man' by the local school children who often used to visit him, and that his wooden hut was a cosy and warm place to be. Jack Frost is just one of many people whose life and work has shaped Lamberhurst Common.
Commissioned by Lamberhurst Parish Council, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and delivered by the Kent High Weald Partnership (KHWP), Jack Frost’s Footsteps will encourage the local community and visitors to learn about Lamberhurst’s rich history, listen to the characters whose life and work has shaped Lamberhurst Common, explore the wealth of wildlife and have a practical hand in enhancing the biodiversity of the Common Land. By sharing our knowledge of the common's history and wildlife, by working to look after its habitats, and by welcoming people to learn more and join with us in taking care of Lamberhurst Common, we therefore hope to follow in Jack Frost's footsteps. |
Our Woodland Management Plan 2020
|
We want our woodland to be managed to ensure that its landscape appeal, nature conservation interest and historic environment features are protected and where practical enhanced. We need our public access provision to be maintained and the woodland to continue to provide a safe, peaceful and pleasant setting for quiet informal recreational activities.
Where practical and compatible with the above objective, an income could be from timber and wood fuel production, with the aim of maintaining a balanced woodland ecosystem; which is capable of the sustainable delivery of a wide range of public benefits in perpetuity. 
|
| ||
| hookgreen__freeheathmaps.pdf |